SACE Stage 2 Women's Studies
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ExploreAbout this exam
Women's Studies is a Stage 2 subject in the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), listed with the code 2WOM20 and a value of 20 credits. It is designed for senior secondary students who want to examine the world from the perspectives of women, exploring the diversity of women's experiences and their relationships to others while promoting an inclusive and just society. The subject asks students to identify complex and contradictory ideas about femininity and masculinity, and to consider how being a woman or a man may shape an individual's experiences and expectations. Assessment is split between school assessment, worth 70 per cent, and external assessment, worth 30 per cent, so most of the result is built through work completed and moderated at the school level rather than in a single final task. The SACE Board publishes a Stage 2 subject outline document that sets out the requirements in full, and schools design their programs around it. To prepare, students should read the subject outline carefully, keep up with school assessment tasks throughout the year because they carry the greater weight, and practise analysing how gender shapes experience across a range of contexts. Teachers should be consulted for the specific assessment plan at your school.
What you'll study
About SACE Stage 2 Women's Studies preparation
What is the difference between school assessment and external assessment in this subject?
School assessment makes up 70 per cent of the result and is set and marked by your school, then moderated by the SACE Board. External assessment makes up the remaining 30 per cent. Because school assessment carries the larger share, consistent performance across the year matters more than a single final task.
Is there a written exam I need to sit?
The source material does not specify the form the external assessment takes for this subject. It confirms only that external assessment is worth 30 per cent. Check the Stage 2 Women's Studies subject outline and your school's assessment plan for the exact external task and any timetable details.
How many credits is Stage 2 Women's Studies worth?
It is a 20-credit Stage 2 subject, with the code 2WOM20. Stage 1 versions are offered at 10 credits (1WOM10) and 20 credits (1WOM20) if you want to study the subject area earlier.
What does the subject actually cover?
Students look at the world from the perspectives of women, examining the diversity of women's experiences and their relationships to others while promoting an inclusive and just society. They also identify complex and contradictory ideas about femininity and masculinity, and how being a woman or a man may influence experiences and expectations.
How should I order my study across the year?
Start with the Stage 2 subject outline so you understand the assessment requirements before your first task. Then prioritise school assessment work, since it is 70 per cent of the result, and build your external assessment preparation alongside it rather than leaving it to the end.
What is a common mistake students make?
Treating the subject as personal opinion rather than analysis. The overview emphasises identifying complex and contradictory ideas about femininity and masculinity and examining diverse experiences, so responses that generalise about women or ignore difference tend to fall short. Ground claims in evidence and acknowledge diversity.
Can I retake the subject if I am unhappy with my result?
The source material does not state a retake policy for this subject, so this cannot be confirmed here. Ask your school's SACE coordinator about options available to you.
Is there a fee to sit this subject?
The source material does not list a fee for Stage 2 Women's Studies. Fee information for overseas students appears elsewhere on the SACE website. Confirm any costs with your school.